Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/23645
6A – Daily News – Monday, January 24, 2011 Vitality & health SEATTLE (MCT) — Depressed patients who have poorly controlled dia- betes or heart disease — or both — often are some of the most unhappy and expensive patients around. But when their depres- sion and physical problems are monitored and treated by a team of primary-care providers, these patients not only feel better, their physi- cal condition improves sig- nificantly, researchers from the University of Washing- ton and Group Health Cooperative reported late last month in the New Eng- land Journal of Medicine. The study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, followed 214 Group Health patients with poorly controlled diabetes, coro- nary heart disease or both, along with depression. The patients were randomly assigned to either standard care or an approach in which nurse care managers coached them, monitored their disease control and depression and worked with their primary-care doctors. Each patient and the nurse care manager set goals to reduce depression, blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol. The study found that at one year, patients receiving team care not only said they had better quality of life and greater satisfaction with their care, measurements showed they were less depressed and showed sig- nificant improvement in blood sugar, blood pressure Team care can help depression patients which just concluded, cost an average $1,224 per patient. Clearly, a goal is to help cut the costs of treating such complex patients, estimated to be about $10,000 per year, according to study co- author Dr. Wayne Katon, a University of Washington professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and an affiliate investigator at the Group Health Research Institute. Researchers don't yet know whether the interven- tions saved money, Lin said, but they expect, based on previous work, that they will at least prove to be cost- neutral. However, researchers are hoping for savings when applied to large groups of patients, Lin said. and cholesterol levels. "We were very systemat- ic about 'treating to target,' " meaning that when a patient didn't meet a goal, the nurse manager helped trou- bleshoot, said Dr. Elizabeth Lin, one of the study's authors. "If they're not at target, then the question is: 'Why not?'" Other similar studies, including an earlier one by the same researchers, didn't show improvement in the tests related to diabetes and heart disease, said Lin, a family-medicine doctor and researcher at the Group Health Research Institute and a clinical professor at the University of Washing- ton's School of Medicine. The difference, Lin said, was that this study didn't simply provide patients with attention from a provider, but helped them set and meet goals for improving their blood- sugar, blood-pressure and cholesterol measurements. "Without those specifics, and systematic ways, just providing additional atten- tion or time doesn't really work," she said. The two-year study, Join us for a FREE Hearing Health Seminar by ear surgeon, Timothy Frantz, M.D. HEAR in the NEW YEAR Kelly Towne Where: When: Deborah Vieira, M.S., CCC-A Audiologist Instrument Specialist #HA7608 Red Bluff Community Center 1500 So. Jackson Monday, January 24th, 2011 3:00 - 4:00 pm There is no cost or obligation. Hearing technology has dramatically improved. Timothy Frantz M.D. Board Certified Otolaryngologist Even if you were fitted with a hearing aid as little as one year ago, we can improve it! It’s this new tech- nology that we’ll discuss while you enjoy a relaxing afternoon. Pastries and beverages will be served. Reservations are limited so call NOW to reserve your seat. (530) 528-1220 OPEN HOUSE 2 days only! Tuesday January 25th & Wednesday January 26th 331 Elm St., Red Bluff COUPON Phonak Milo Plus Any Style Expires 1-26-11 • No cash value $795 Each Kari Parnell, Lic. Hearing Other studies show that patients with three or more chronic conditions — a group that includes more than 40 percent of Medicare beneficiaries — account for more than 80 percent of Medicare care costs. "The problem isn't just depression, it's the patient who has co-existing condi- tions," Lin said. "That's becoming such a public- health challenge." Lin has received funding from the Group Health Foundation for a pilot pro- gram to translate this study to usual care in a selected Group Health clinic loca- tion. If it goes well, Group Health would roll out the team approach to other clin- ics. fitness Nutrition Quiz: Food & gout (MCT) — You rarely see charity benefit con- certs or 10K runs dedi- cated to eradicating gout. But here at The Quiz, we want to help foil this painful arthritic condition by pointing out its association with various foods and sup- plements. Take our swell quiz. 1. Researchers have analyzed data on nearly 80,000 women over 22 years from the Nurses' Health Study and found an association between what beverage and gout? a) Coffee b) Soft drinks c) Vodka 2. Orange juice with a high fructose level also may pose a risk. According to the Tufts University Health Let- ter, women with the highest fructose intake had what higher risk of gout than those with the lowest fructose intake? a) 23 percent b) 40 percent c) 62 percent 3. The women in the study who drank an average of two or more sodas daily saw what level of increased gout risk? a) 62 percent b) 79 percent c) 240 percent 4. According to research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, men who consumed what amount of vitamin C supple- ments had a 34 percent lower gout risk than those not taking extra vitamin C? a) 500 milligrams b) 1,500 milligrams c) 5,000 milligrams 5. Gout has a histori- cal reputation of being a disease of the rich and famous, whose big toes puffed up when they overindulged. Which of the three U.S. presidents below did not suffer from the affliction? a) Grover Cleveland b) Bill Clinton c) William Howard Taft Source: Tufts Health & Nutrition Update; Archives of Internal Medicine; www.health- inplainenglish.com/pres idential- diseases/index.htm. Dr. Gott: Has colchicine been nixed? DEAR DR. GOTT: I was in my doctor’s office last week for new prescrip- tions, and he indicated that colchicine is being pulled from the market. I take it for gout and don’t know what I can use in its place. Do you have any suggestions? DEAR READER: As you are aware, oral colchicine is prescribed either to prevent attacks of gout brought on by the pres- ence of too much uric acid in the blood or to treat symptoms once they occur. The injectable form has been on the market since the 1950s and has been used for acute gout attacks and as an alternative for the treatment of back pain. The medication is rela- tively side-effect-free, but some people may suffer from headache, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, flushing and more. Severe allergic reactions can include chest tightness, swelling of the tongue and a great deal more. Your physician was not referring to your oral med- ication but to the injectable form used for intravenous administration. The Food BOOK BARN 619 Oak St., Red Bluff (530) 528-2665 Tues-Fri 10am-5pm Sat. 10am-2pm Happy New Year Thank you to all our loyal customers. We are looking forward to serving you in 2011 Jack & Linda Gaines *NOW OPEN* Bareroot Trees and Berries are in! Time to plant 1 1/2 miles South of Red Bluff 12645 Hwy 99E (530) 529-2546 and Drug Administration has stated the toxicity risks associated with injectable forms outweigh any poten- tial benefit. This is particu- larly true when the drug is compounded because of potential concentration errors. The FDA has stated that a number of deaths have been well documented and attributed to improperly compounded injectable colchicine products. Abdominal pain, seizures, organ failure and lack of blood-cell production have been reported with improp- er dosing. To provide related infor- mation, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Consumer Tips on Medi- cine.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order payable to Newsletter and mailed to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com. DEAR DR. GOTT: I have a friend who says she is suffering from Morgel- lons disease. What is this? I’ve never heard of it. DEAR READER: Morgellons is a disorder that presents with itchy sores, rashes, stinging and crawl- ing sensations on and under the skin. There may be threads or black specklike materials on or beneath the skin, visual and behavioral changes, severe fatigue, an inability to concentrate and joint pain. It was first reported almost 10 years ago. Since then, there have been con- firmed cases of Morgellons in all 50 of the United States, yet researchers still know little about the disor- der and even whether it’s contagious. Its symptoms share common characteris- tics with Lyme disease, kid- ney and liver disorders, drug and/or alcohol abuse, delu- sional parasitosis and more. The peripheral nervous sys- tem is often affected by the disease, but the most signif- icant known aspect is the involvement of the central nervous system. Almost every person diagnosed with the disorder complains of depression, bipolar mood disorder, short-term memory loss and difficulties with concentra- tion. Sadly, many people with Morgellons are misdi- agnosed with a psychiatric disorder (perhaps because of the itching present under the skin). There appears to be involvement with Lyme disease, and many who suf- fer from Morgellons have tested positive for Lyme, but not all Lyme patients have Morgellons. Mark's Fitness *Get into Shape, Get Healthy, & Enjoy a Good Quality of Life!* * Private Personal Training - FREE Consultations! ! * Public Spin Class: M-W-F @ 6 PM - Ask about monthly FREE classes! ACE Certified & Senior Fitness Assn. Certified Personal Trainer (530) 941-2832 821 Walnut St. Red Bluff ANSWERS: 1: b; 2: c; 3: c; 4: b; 5: b